Business Fundamentals – Skills for Enterprise Growth

Ten-session Business Skills Bootcamp for Start-ups & SMEs

Want to know about how our Bootcamps benefit people like you? Check out some of the positive feedback we’ve received here and here.

  • Limited places available
  • Learn from Chartered Business Advisors
  • For pre-starts, early stage enterpreneurs & SMEs
  • Fully funded for independent learners
  • Funded 90-100% for SME organisations
We are currently recruiting for Wave 1 of Cohort 6, starting on Thursday 11th September.

Start & grow your business

Community CVS are delivering a brand new Business Essentials – Skills for Enterprise Growth bootcamp across Lancashire.

A tailored ten-session programme for Lancashire business start-ups.

Develop your hands-on business skills, including:

  • How to take your business from an idea to reality
  • Market research, securing contracts & commissions
  • Create a high impact social media marketing strategy
  • Building a realistic business plan with SMART goals
  • Understand financial planning & legal structures
  • How to win & retain customers with USPs
  • Getting ahead with artificial intelligence

Gain an optional Chartered Management Institute Leadership and Management qualification.

Join a community of entrepreneurs & experts: connect with Lancashire businesses and work directly with Chartered Business Advisors, who can’t wait to help you launch your business.

Proven excellence: our tailor-made programmes have a 9.5/10 average learner feedback score.

Co-created by experienced business owners, Chartered Business Advisors & Fellows of CMI: this engaging business start-up programme will empower you to launch your business with confidene and support.

Fully funded for independent learners – SMEs can obtain 90-100% funding.

Information for organisations

Do you have Future Leaders with Roles in Mind? Have you identified future leaders for career progression in your organisation?

Do you have potential supervisory or leadership roles, your current workforce can develop into?

Are you committed to staff development? Could you commit to letting your employee attend a weekly one-day bootcamp for ten sessions to prepare them with the vital skills to develop into a new role or responsibility?

Are you willing to commit to offering them an interview for a new position on completion of the programme?

Funding Criteria

We require maximum attendance from learners. Eligibility is as follows:

  • 100% funded for self-employed learners
  • 90% funded for SMEs (up to 250 full-time employees) – £360 plus VAT per learner, payable by the employer
  • Approximately 80% funded for non-SMEs (more than 250 full-time employees) – £750 plus VAT per learner, payable by the employer

Post-Course Evidence Requirements:

  • Employed learners: Evidence must be provided that learners have taken on a new role or responsibility within the organisation (e.g. new project, AI use, project management tools, leading a new team, etc.).
  • Self-employed learners: A business plan must be submitted outlining how a new opportunity will be secured (grant, commercial income, etc.) along with evidence once secured (e.g. proof of grant, paid invoice, confirmation letter).
  • Unemployed learners: A job offer in written form and/or a payslip.

Do you want to help inform the programme and contribute to the learning outcomes?

If this is your organisation, then contact us now.

Information for individuals

Eligibility: You need to be over 19 and have lived in Lancashire for at least 3 years. You will need to undertake an interview at the beginning of the process to determine your suitability for the Skills Bootcamp.

You can be unemployed, self-employed, a career changer or employed already.

Course Type: A business essentials bootcamp to enable you to get the best out of your social enterprise.

Duration: ten-session leadership Skills Bootcamp.

If this is you, then contact us now.

Dates for upcoming cohorts

Cohort 1Cohort 2
Week 1Thursday 11th September 2025Thursday 15th January 2026
Week 2Thursday 18th September 2025Thursday 22nd January 2026
Week 3Thursday 25th September 2025Thursday 29th January 2026
Week 4Thursday 2nd October 2025Thursday 5th February 2026
Week 5Thursday 9th October 2025Thursday 12th February 2026
Week 6Thursday 16th October 2025Half Term
Week 7Thursday 23rd October 2025Thursday 26th February 2026
Week 8Half TermThursday 5th March 2026
Week 9Thursday 6th November 2025Thursday 12th March 2026
Week 10Thursday 13th November 2025Thursday 19th March 2026
Week 11Thursday 20th November 2025Thursday 26th March 2026

Get in touch

Individuals or organisations wishing to benefit from this unique professional development opportunity should get in touch with: –

Act now to secure this opportunity as places are limited for this exclusive professional development opportunity.

Last update: Monday 16th June 2025